ABSTRACT
Several factors come together to create concern about academic preparedness for college in the United States. This chapter discusses academic readiness for college, with a focus on literacy skills. It considers the following questions: How is academic preparedness defined? What is known about low literacy skills as a risk factor for academic preparedness? How can academic preparedness be assessed? How can college students with low literacy skills be helped to increase their academic preparedness? A complicating factor in defining academic preparedness is student goals. Although obtaining a baccalaureate degree is the most common goal, some students would like to obtain an associate's degree or career-related certificate. A major risk factor in academic preparedness is low reading ability. The ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply written information fits with the "Think" and "Know" dimensions of Conley's (2015) college readiness model.
